Klein Amendment To National Service Act Clears Congress, Heads To President's Desk

Press Release

The U.S. House passed a final version of national service legislation containing an amendment by Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) to support South Florida veterans. Klein worked with Congressman Harry Teague of New Mexico to craft an amendment to the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act that will create opportunities for veterans and other volunteers to serve their fellow veterans around the country.
The legislation, and Klein's amendment, previously passed the House as the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act. In the U.S. Senate, it was renamed for Senator Kennedy, and the House approved the final version this evening. The legislation now moves to President Obama's desk for signature.

The Klein/Teague amendment to the national service act allows members of the Veterans' Corps service organization to assist military veterans and their families with critical services. These services include filing disability and healthcare benefit forms, job training and transportation to and from VA hospitals for medical care.
"In these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever that we do not let a single veteran go without the full range of benefits they have earned," Klein said. "By connecting our returning service members with their fellow veterans who have already experienced the process of applying for disability and health care benefit forms, we will reduce dramatically the delay between application and receipt of these hard-earned benefits."

Klein also expressed his strong support for the underlying bill, which will more than triple the number of volunteers serving in this country, from the current 75,000 to 250,000. The legislation will create a new Summer of Service program with stipends students can use to pay for college, along with additional opportunities for senior citizens and young people to serve their communities.

"Public service is a fundamental value of our country," Klein said. "Now more than ever, there is a critical need for volunteer services, and the American people are rising to meet the challenge. From young people to senior citizens and across all demographic and geographic boundaries, Americans are answering the call to public service, and we owe them our full support. It is my hope that the legislation we have passed today begins a national movement for public service, and I look forward to working with members of the South Florida community to meet that goal."

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